Mcgowen Barrel Reviews

[kswaterfowl]

I take it back.

I think i'm sending this one back too. was messing with some things again today and unless I am slamming things open and closed on two different lots of eldm its a struggle to open and close the bolt. the fatter ojive black was even worse. marks on extracted bullets show things likely only getting worse the more I shoot and this is only after 20 rounds through it.. My same saami spec 6cm PVA and PBB don't have marks like this with same lots and will open and close fine running the bolt slow or fast

View attachment 1009668

I had the same problem with my Mcgowen prefit. I sent it back, and they said they fixed it. But I havent tried it yet.

 

[Mike D Texas]

McGowen is trash. You get what you pay for...

Their prefits might be but I have several C6 barrels and one McGowan that shoots very well.


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[bojangles808]

McGowen is trash. You get what you pay for...

I had to send back a PVA for an undersized freebore that I paid twice as much for. nobody is perfect. **** happens

 

[atmat]

I had to send back a PVA for an undersized freebore that I paid twice as much for. nobody is perfect. **** happens

Yes, but it’s the rate at which it happens with McGowen that’s concerning. That’s amplified when you hear many people’s customer service experience.

I would buy a blank, but I wouldn’t buy a prefit.

 

[gbflyer]

If a barrel maker is making shouldered prefits they'd better be ready for a bunch of returns. I can't figure why any of them would do it. 100% relying on the installer who is often times unqualified, and the receiver manufacturer who can be off .005 easy. There can't be much good come of it.

 

[kswaterfowl]

If a barrel maker is making shouldered prefits they'd better be ready for a bunch of returns. I can't figure why any of them would do it. 100% relying on the installer who is often times unqualified, and the receiver manufacturer who can be off .005 easy. There can't be much good come of it.

You obviously havent owned very many prefits. There are plenty of companies that have very few issues.

 

[gbflyer]

You obviously havent owned very many prefits. There are plenty of companies that have very few issues.

Obviously. I chamber my own.

 

[Packmansion]

If a barrel maker is making shouldered prefits they'd better be ready for a bunch of returns. I can't figure why any of them would do it. 100% relying on the installer who is often times unqualified, and the receiver manufacturer who can be off .005 easy. There can't be much good come of it.

Unqualified lol if you cant install a shouldered prefit im not sure you should be allowed to drive a car.

 

[atmat]

Unqualified lol if you cant install a shouldered prefit im not sure you should be allowed to drive a car.

Bro, lefty loosey righty tighty is tough.

 

[kswaterfowl]

Obviously. I chamber my own.

 

[Packmansion]

Obviously. I chamber my own.

Obviously. You dont know what youre talking about.

 

[gbflyer]

Obviously. You dont know what youre talking about.

Nope. Not a clue.

 

[gbflyer]

View attachment 1009994

Good one. Obviously.


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[Packmansion]

Lets just not make it a habit to spread lies on the internet. Prefits are really easy to install... some people who make prefits are stupid and shouldn't be doing it. There are plenty of outfits who do it well with top notch quality control and phenomenal performance for the fraction of the time and cost of a gun smith... Im sure there are people who are smart enough to order a prefit but dumb enough that they can't install it, I just haven't meant someone that special yet...

 

[gbflyer]

Lets just not make it a habit to spread lies on the internet. Prefits are really easy to install... some people who make prefits are stupid and shouldn't be doing it. There are plenty of outfits who do it well with top notch quality control and phenomenal performance for the fraction of the time and cost of a gun smith... Im sure there are people who are smart enough to order a prefit but dumb enough that they can't install it, I just haven't meant someone that special yet...

Yes, it isn't difficult. By saying unqualified, I should have said "not properly equipped". So please forgive my poor choice or words.

How many people who get a prefit take the time to strip the bolt and check the headspace? Can they fix a thread issue? What happens when the barrel won't screw in? Keep cranking? What about when the cartridge won't chamber? It gets sent back, right? So the guy making the barrel, it's his fault, even if it isn't. So they better be ready to fix it, as a manufacturer is my point.

My experience with McGowan is on post 18. I have prefits from X-Cal and PacNor. They all have a nut.

I am nobody's king. I am qualified to speak on this subject however. Been doing it awhile.

 

[Sled]

Yes, it isn't difficult. By saying unqualified, I should have said "not properly equipped". So please forgive my poor choice or words.

How many people who get a prefit take the time to strip the bolt and check the headspace? Can they fix a thread issue? What happens when the barrel won't screw in? Keep cranking? What about when the cartridge won't chamber? It gets sent back, right? So the guy making the barrel, it's his fault, even if it isn't. So they better be ready to fix it, as a manufacturer is my point.

My experience with McGowan is on post 18. I have prefits from X-Cal and PacNor. They all have a nut.

I am nobody's king. I am qualified to speak on this subject however. Been doing it awhile.

I think prefits are a craps shoot. Yes, Tikka is way better with their tolerances than other mfgs but they too have variance. Every now and then their tolerance and the prefit barrel maker's tolerances stack up in the wrong way.

Fwiw, my smith will not make prefits for Tikka. He wants the action in hand and guarantees accuracy. I think you're wise to do the same and fortunate you have the tools and skills to the work yourself.